Wales are set to face South Africa and Argentina this summer without Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones and Ken Owens, three of Welsh rugby’s most talismanic leaders, prompting the important question: Who will skipper the side?

It is unlikely Warburton will hurry back after the neck injury that has kept him out this term.

And Jones and Owens both had busy Lions tours and so are probably desperately in need of a rest ahead of a campaign that will lead into next year’s World Cup.

Warren Gatland will probably rest most of his Lions from 2017, though he may also factor into his calculations how much rugby they have had since.

Warren Gatland

He needs to get the captaincy right because having the right leader can prove the difference between success and failure on these tours. Last year, Jamie Roberts led Wales and by all accounts did a great job. But Jamie has played for Wales just once this season, off the bench, so it would be a surprise if Gatland went back to him.

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HADLEIGH PARKES

He may have been in the Wales set-up for barely five minutes, but I am hearing a lot of good things about the New Zealander.

The word is he is vocal on the pitch and someone who has high standards and brings the best out of those around him.

He is an organiser and centre isn’t a bad place to lead a side from. There, a player can take a cool-headed view of what’s going on up front while also weighing up options behind. I think I’m right in saying more captains have led Wales from that position than anywhere else on the field.

Parkes is an impressive figure who seems to take in his stride whatever challenges are put in front of him. He banked two man-of-the-match awards in his first five Tests for Wales and makes up for a supposed lack of pace by thinking as quickly and sharply as anyone else on the field.